Orpington crashed out of the Inter-Regional Cup to Division One East leaders, and newly crowned Invitation Floodlight Cup winners, Bly Spartans by two goals to one after a hard fought and, at times, ill-tempered affair.

Orpington suffered an early setback when they lost the services of leading goal scorer Gary Gorman to an eye injury.  Despite this loss, the O’s looked lively going forward – Jamie Hughes’s chip over the keeper from distance was cleared off the line by Ashley Cooper.

After twenty minutes, Orpington took the lead when Perry Belchamber glanced Danny Gorman’s well flighted free-kick over the advancing Darren Watson.

Bly responded through a run by Cooper down the right.  The defender’s cross to the far-post caused problems for O’s keeper, Nicky Blue, but although Kevin Penfold put the ball back into the danger area with an over-head kick, the threat was eventually cleared.   

Two minutes before the interval, Bly almost scored when Craig Allen’s free-kick whistled past Bluey’s left-hand post.

But five minutes into the second period Bly were on level terms - Orpington failed to deal with a high ball into their own penalty area and Kevin Penfold was able to stab the ball home from close range.

The game moved into a more ill-tempered phase with names entering the referee’s notebook at regular intervals.  Eventually, with the game heading towards extra-time the first red card was issued to Orpington’s Danny Sandford when he clashed with Bly keeper, Darren Watson.  Facing an up-hill struggle for the added thirty minutes, Orpington tried to contain Bly.  But nevertheless, the visitors inevitably found gaps and looked dangerous everytime they ventured forward.  When Gary Harding raced down the vacant right-wing, a cross of almost any sorts seemed likely to result in a goal.  But when the ball was eventually played into the O’s penalty area, Nicky Blue was able to intercept.

With five minutes to go, Bly made the decisive breakthrough.  Following good work on the left, the ball was eventually moved across to the unmarked Gary Harding who slotted the ball into the unguarded goal.

Bly just had time to also find themselves reduced to ten men when Kevin Penfold was dismissed for showing too much emotion towards an opponent.

Bly Spartans will defend their title in the final against Fleet Leisure.

Orpington: Nicky Blue, Danny Gorman (Danny Sandford, 71), Byron Beard, George Belchamber, Dave Johnson (Danny Taylor, 95), Rob Quick, Perry Belchamber, Adam Ellson, Mark Lewis, Gary Gorman, (Billy Webb, 20) Jamie Hughes.

Bly Spartans: Darren Watson, Ashley Cooper, Matt McHugh (Lee Sperring, 70), Ricky Mitchell, Lee Billingham, Damien Hodge, Craig Allen (Danny Almond, 93), Tom Berry, Kevin Penfold, Gen Barlow, Gary Harding; subs not used: Matt Nicholl, Michael Moriarty, Glenn Cook.

Phil Alder

Orpington FC